Method for the in vitro diagnosis and/or in vitro therapy monitoring of infections

Abstract

A method for in-vitro diagnosis and/or in-vitro therapy monitoring of infections and/or infectious diseases and differentiation between acute infections and latent or overcome infections comprising incubating eukaryotic cells with an antigen; and testing for cells (ASCs) secreting antigen-specific antibodies, the secreted antibodies of which are directed specifically against the antigen.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for in vitro diagnosis and/or in vitro therapy monitoring of infections and/or infectious diseases and differentiation between acute infections and latent or overcome infections comprising incubating eukaryotic cells with an antigen; and testing for cells (ASCs) secreting antigen-specific antibodies, the secreted antibodies of which are directed specifically against the antigen. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising enriching the eukaryotic cells before incubation. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising freeing the eukaryotic cells from erythrocytes before incubation. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the eukaryotic cells are freed from autologous blood serum before incubation. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein, for incubation of the eukaryotic cells, at least one infectious pathogenic type or an epitope thereof, is used as the antigen. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein for incubation of the eukaryotic cells, at least one antigen selected from the group consisting of PPD, RD 1, RD 2, ESAT 6, CFP 10, MPT 41, MTB 64, PPE 44, OSP A, OSP B, OSP C, OSP D, OSP E, V1sE, p 58, p 100 Dbp A, HPV L1, HPV E1 to E7, influenza H1 to H15, HCV, HBV core AG NS2-6, Chlamydia MOMP1 and MOMP2 is employed. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein, for incubation of the eukaryotic cells, at least one tuberculosis-specific antigen selected from the group consisting of PPD, RD1, RD 2, MPT 64, MTB 41 and PPE 44, is used. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein, for incubation of the eukaryotic cells, at least one borreliosis-specific antigen selected from the group consisting of V1sE, OSP A, OSP B, OSP C, OSP D and OSP E, is employed. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the method is carried out as an ELISPOT method comprising:
 a) applying capture molecules to an investigation surface,   b) incubating the eukaryotic cells with the antigen on the investigation surface,   c) adding detection molecules to the investigation surface, and   d) detecting the ASCs on the investigation surface, the secreted antibodies of which are directed specifically against the antigen.   
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the infections and/or infectious diseases are selected from the group consisting of tuberculosis, borreliosis, influenza, hepatitis A-E, herpes and infections or infectious diseases caused by cytomegaloviruses (CMV), Epstein-Ban viruses (EBV) or papilloma viruses (HPV). 
     
     
         24 . A kit for in vitro diagnosis and/or in vitro therapy monitoring of infections and/or infectious diseases for differentiation between acute infections and latent or overcome infections, comprising at least one component for detection of antigen-specific antibody-secreting (ASCs).